Spending time outdoors at your own home is an ideal way to pass the time with family and friends. Having a backyard patio is one of the major perks of being a homeowner.
Using your patio you have worked so hard to keep clean and updated shouldn’t be a hassle because the weather has caused issues with drainage over time.
Not only is standing water on a patio unsightly, but over time it will cause mildew to grow which will ultimately break down the materials used in the patio. The last thing you want to do is have to rebuild a patio you just installed recently.
The good news is there are things you can do to fix the drainage issues surrounding your patio and you can get back to enjoying time outside without worrying about when the next thunderstorm may impact your outdoor space.
Whether it is fixing the slope or installing creative drain solutions, there are options available to help remedy your patio drainage problem.
Suggestion #1: Install A Trench Drain
Installing a drainage system is the ideal option to reroute water away from your patio. Remember that location is key when installing the drain as you want to make sure you are using a downward slope to help gravity do its job in getting the water away from the patio.
A trench drain is an ideal solution as it’s long-lasting and the design can often seamlessly integrate with your patio.
It’s a good idea to focus on quality when you buy trench drains and have a contractor do the installation for you. The good news about installing a drain is that it is a true fix for the excess water and not just a temporary solution.
ust don’t forget to monitor the drain to ensure that it’s working effectively and efficiently.
Suggestion #2: Build A Soakaway Section
If you want to start with an option for drainage that isn’t too involved or expensive, the soakaway option is a great place to start. The name explains it all, as the goal for a soakaway hole is to soak up the excess water that happens after a rainstorm.
Typically, soakaway holes are located at the end of the patio and are filled with gravel. Soakaway holes can also be known as dry wells, and these are usually placed under or near a gutter.
So if part of the excess water is coming from your gutters and leaking onto your patio, then building a DIY dry well is the way to go.
The beauty of using gravel is that it is a naturally permeable material and will help absorb the excess water that you don’t want your patio absorbing.
Suggestion #3: Adjust the Slope with an Overlay
It is natural and normal for patios to adjust over time. After all, they are built on top of the soil, and soil naturally shifts and changes with erosion and weather impact.
One of the options to help with directing water away from a patio is to add an overlay layer to the top of the current patio.
Using porous materials as part of your overlay can add both aesthetic interest and functionality. Depending on the current gradient of your patio, sometimes all you need is a few inches to change the slope of the patio and help the water divert away.
Suggestion #4: Add A Garden
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly option to help with your patio drainage needs, consider adding a garden near the patio. Believe it or not, adding some plants and dirt can help with your drainage issue too.
Working with a landscape specialist can help ensure that you build the garden in an ideal location to help soak up some of the water that has been causing issues on the patio.
The landscaper can also help introduce you to native plants and can advise you on which plants will do best in your specific area. Getting advice from an expert will also allow you to design the garden to help the water slope away from the patio.
They may suggest doing a layered garden bed to add a natural slope to help the water drain away from the patio and back into the garden.
Adding a garden is a bonus way to not only improve the drainage of the patio but also improve the overall beauty and appeal of your yard.
Suggestion #5: Change the Gutter Route
Changing the route of your gutters may feel like an extreme measure to help fix your patio drainage problem, but it can actually be a cost-effective and simple fix.
If your patio was installed after the gutters, chances are that the location of the gutters may not have been taken into consideration when building the patio.
Rerouting the gutters is simply adding a new section of pipe at the bottom of the gutter to help the water flow away from the patio instead of towards it.
Adding a new section of gutter is fairly inexpensive, but it is probably worth working with a professional to ensure that it is done right the first time.
Enjoying Your Well-Drained Patio
Fixing the drainage solutions of your patio will allow you to enjoy the space you planned on enjoying before the excess water got in the way.
Now the next time a rainstorm happens you won’t feel the same sense of impending doom and be concerned about the aftermath of the storm.
Using one of the savvy solutions, you can fix your patio drainage problem and know that when the sun comes back out you can enjoy your outdoor space once again.
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